WE’RE GLAD YOU’VE JOINED US TODAY.

WHO WE ARE.

• We are a community of city-centred, gospel-focused people striving to serve and renew Toronto through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

WHO WE WELCOME.

• We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds and faiths – both religious and irreligious.

WHO WE BELIEVE IN.

• We believe Christ is relevant to every person in every situation, and we want to help you discover him.

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GOD CALLS

CALL TO WORSHIP

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—based on Psalm 118:26, NRSV

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LEADER:

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL:

Hosanna in the highest!

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SONG - HOSANNA (PRAISE IS RISING)

(© 2005, 2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music and Thankyou Music

CCLI # 4662491)

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Praise is rising

Eyes are turning to You

We turn to You

Hope is stirring

Hearts are yearning for You

We long for You

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'Cause when we see You

We find strength to face the day

In Your presence

All our fears are washed away

Washed away

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Hosanna hosanna

You are the God who saves us

Worthy of all our praises

Hosanna hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here Lord Jesus

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Hear the sound of

Hearts returning to You

We turn to You

In Your Kingdom

Broken lives are made new

You make us new

Hosanna hosanna

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SONG - CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS

(© Words: Public Domain. CCLI Song # 23938)

Crown Him with many crowns

The Lamb upon His throne

Hark how the heavenly anthem drowns

All music but its own

Awake my soul and sing

Of Him who died for thee

And hail Him as thy matchless King

Through all eternity

Crown Him the Lord of life

Who triumphed o'er the grave

And rose victorious in the strife

For those He came to save

His glories now we sing

Who died and rose on high

Who died eternal life to bring

And lives that death may die

Crown Him the Lord of love

Behold His hands and side

Rich wounds yet visible above

In beauty glorified

No angel in the sky

Can fully bear that sight

But downward bends each burning eye

At mysteries so bright

Crown Him the Lord of peace

Whose power a sceptre sways

From pole to pole

That wars may cease

And all be prayer and praise

His reign shall know no end

And round His pierced feet

Fair flowers of paradise extend

Their fragrance ever sweet

Crown Him the Lord of years

The Potentate of time

Creator of the rolling spheres

Ineffably sublime

All hail Redeemer hail

For Thou hast died for me

Thy praise shall never never fail

Throughout eternity

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SONG - LORD I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH

(© 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc. CCLI # 117947)

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Lord I lift Your name on high

Lord I love to sing Your praises

I'm so glad You're in my life

I'm so glad You came to save us

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You came from heaven to earth

To show the way

From the earth to the cross

My debt to pay

From the cross to the grave

From the grave to the sky

Lord I lift Your name on high

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Loving God,

you rode a donkey and came in peace,

humbled yourself and gave yourself for us.

We confess our lack of humility.

As you entered Jerusalem,

the crowds shouted “Hosanna: ‘Save us now!’”

On Good Friday they shouted “Crucify!”

We confess our praise is often empty.

We sing “Hosanna,” but cry “Crucify.”

As the crowd laid their palms in front of you,

you took no glory for yourself.

We confess that we want to be accepted and take the easy way. We do not stay true to your will.

Forgive us, Lord, and help us

to follow in the way of obedience.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—based on Psalm 118:4-5, 14, 17, NRSV

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LEADER:

Hear the Word of the Lord from Psalm 118:

Let those who fear the Lord say,

“His steadfast love endures for ever.”

Out of my distress I called on the Lord;

the Lord answered me and set me free.

The Lord is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.

I shall not die, but I shall live,

and recount the deeds of the Lord.

In Christ, God answers us and sets us free!

In Christ, we are forgiven!

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ALL:

Thanks be to God.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - THE LORD IS MY SALVATION

(© 2016 © Getty Music Publishing, Sweater Weather Music. CCLI# 7063694)

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The grace of God has reached for me

And pulled me from the raging sea

And I am safe on this solid ground

The Lord is my salvation

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I will not fear when darkness falls

His strength will help me scale these walls

I'll see the dawn of the rising sun

The Lord is my salvation

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Who is like the Lord our God

Strong to save faithful in love

My debt is paid and the victory won

The Lord is my salvation

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My hope is hidden in the Lord

He flow'rs each promise of His Word

When winter fades I know spring will come

The Lord is my salvation

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In times of waiting times of need

When I know loss when I am weak

I know His grace will renew these days

The Lord is my salvation

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And when I reach the final day

He will not leave me in the grave

But I will rise He will call me home

The Lord is my salvation

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Glory be to God the Father

Glory be to God the Son

Glory be to God the Spirit

The Lord is our salvation

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The Lord is our salvation

The Lord is our salvation

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ALPHA

• Curious about Christianity? If you're exploring Christianity, this group is a space to ask questions and explore faith. For Christians, this group offers a chance to connect with others and see how Grace Toronto Church walks alongside those exploring faith. ALPHA is a 10 week course that begins April 9th and ends June 11th. Sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events.

FAITH AND WORK

• Are you working in the fields of healthcare or business? We invite you to attend one of two networking gatherings tailored for professionals in these sectors. Healthcare will be on March 31st from 5:30-7:30 PM, and Business will gather on April 1st from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Both events at Dineen Coffee (140 Yonge).

COMMUNION VOLUNTEERS

• We are still in need of 20 volunteers to help serve communion in both services. If you are interested in serving, please email communion@gracetoronto.ca

MAUNDY THURSDAY

• Join us on April 2nd for a prayer and foot washing service, along with a reflective art gallery hosted in the St. Andrew's Hall. The gallery opens at 6:30 PM and the service beings at 7 PM.

GOOD FRIDAY

• Join us for a joint Good Friday service with on April 3rd from 7-8:30 PM at St. Paul's on Bloor Street.

EASTER BRUNCH

• No Easter plans? No problem! Stick around after 1st service for an Easter brunch! The cost is $10. Kids 12 and under are free! April 5, 10:30-noon in the St. Andrew's Hall.

VBS REGISTRATION

• Join us for VBS! This year's theme is "Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God. We will be running a joint VBS with St. Paul's on Bloor from July 6th to 10th from 9 am to 4 pm. Registration is now open at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• SERVICE (John 13:12-15) Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, giving them an example of humble service. Reflect on ways you can serve others in love. Pray for a heart ready to follow Christ’s example of selfless care.

SUPPORT

• If you are in any form of need or if you are able to help others, please visit http://www.gracetoronto.ca/help  or visit http://www.gracetoronto.ca/prayer  to submit your prayers.

DIACONATE

• The Diaconate exists to contribute to the flourishing of gospel-centered community by meeting the practical needs of our church community, and extending help and compassion to those experiencing hardship or difficult circumstances. Click here for more information.

OFFERING

• To set up your online giving or to learn more about giving options, visitgracetoronto.ca/give.

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GOD COMMUNES

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SCRIPTURE READING

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Mark 11:1-21

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Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -WONDERFUL MERCIFUL SAVIOUR

(© 1989 Word Music, LLC and Dayspring Music, LLC. CCLI# 106879)

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Wonderful merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb

Could rescue the souls of men

Oh You rescue the souls of men

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Counsellor Comforter Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts

Have hopelessly lost the way

Oh we hopelessly lost the way

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You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh our hearts always hunger for

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Almighty infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh we're falling before Your throne

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COMMUNION
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PRAYER FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR TRUTH

Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life.  Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are.  Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing and that leads to the life you promise.  Amen.

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PRAYER OF BELIEF

Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope.  I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Saviour and Lord.  Amen.

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GOD COMMISSIONS

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BENEDICTION

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—based on Philippians 4:7, NRSV

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The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

guard your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,

and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

remain with you always. Amen.

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PRAYER

Would you like prayer?  Send us an email at prayer@gracetoronto.ca.  We would love to intercede for you!

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